To the USDA: Don't fall prey to the media hysteria of evil GMOs

The deadline for the comment period is Sept. 11, but there are already over 1,000 comments on the Arctic GMO apple, and most of them are against the introduction of the non-browning apple. However, not everyone agrees that the biotech apple is a bad idea. Check out this comment.

From Wanda Heuser Gale and International Plant Management, Inc.

We are writing in favor of the allowance of Arctic Gold and Acrtic Granny Smith apples. To fall prey to the media histeria of evil GMO's is to cripple the future of agribusiness in the US. We urge you to look at the proven facts to make your decision, not listen to the hype from the press and the hysteriacal feeding frenzies of splinter groups that do not represent the mainstream US consumer.

For every pro-Arctic comment, there are several others that raise objections. Here is a typical comment, this from a Betsy Russ:

I am writing to ask you to not allow nonregulated status to Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. for apples genetically engineered to resist browning (Document ID APHIS-2012-0025-0001). I am concerned that transgenic foods will compromise the integrity of non-transgenic foods' DNA and will cause harm to the environment. It is my opinion that transgenic foods need further study to determine the health consequences to humans who consume such foods. Please stop this madness. Our world is depending on you to make the ethical, moral decision. Just say no to transgenic foods. Thank you, Sincerely, Betsy Russ.

It seems science may be on the side of the Arctic apple; USDA approval of the non-browning GMO variety will be a watershed event for the apple industry. I don't think apple industry leaders or the general produce industry is ready to carry the banner for GMO produce varieties. Those who are invested in bringing the Arctic to market will have to do the heavy lifting. In Japan, such promotional work is ongoing for the GMO Rainbow papaya.

From the USDA FAS:

On July 7 and 8, the first Rainbow (GMO) Papaya sales promotion targeting general consumers was held at the SPA Hawaiians Resort in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture (about 135 miles north of Tokyo). Over 2,000 SPA guests viewed papaya promotion, and over 600 people sampled the fruit. This was the second Rainbow papaya sales in Japan since COSTCO Japan sold the papayas to their warehouse members in December last year. Deep rooted concerns on GMO food have still been running rampant in the market, but mainly from the large importers. However, all prepared Rainbow papayas were sold out during the promotion, much better sales results than expected.

Getting beyond the "Frankenfood" characterizations will take time and money for marketers of GM fruits and vegetables. Consumers need to see the Arctic apple as just another apple. Is it doable? Is it worth it? Those are questions that will be answered in the next three years.

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About the Author:

Tom Karst

Tom Karst is national editor for The Packer and Farm Journal Media, covering issues of importance to the produce industry including immigration, farm policy and food safety.
He began his career with The Packer in 1984 as one of the founding editors of ProNet, a pioneering electronic news service for the produce industry. Tom has also served as markets editor for The Packer and editor of Global Produce magazine, among other positions.
Tom is also the main author of Fresh Talk, www.tinyurl.com/freshtalkblog, an industry blog that has been active since November 2006.
Previous to coming to The Packer, Tom worked from 1982 to 1984 at Harris Electronic News, a farm videotext service based in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Tom has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from Kansas State University, Manhattan.
He can be reached at tkarst@farmjournal.com and 913-438-0769. Find Tom's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/tckarst.